Device for mounting sheet material on a wall



Aug. 25, 1959 J. A. BUELOW 2,900,750

DEVICE FOR MOUNTING SHEET MATERIAL ON A WALL Filed May 16, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. 6 F768 INVEN TOR. JOHN A. BUELOW BY gemzzo ATTORNEYUnited States Patent DEVICE FOR MOUNTING SHEET p ON A WALL John A.Buelow, St. Paul,'Minn., mm to new;

Industries, Inc a corporation of Minnesota.

My invention relates to an improvement in a frame and support unit forsheet material and more particularly to such a device for mounting amirror or the like on a wall.

It is an object of my invention to provide a support for mountingsheetmaterial on a wall which has a minimum of parts. -It is also anobject of my invention to provide a device for mounting sheet materialflat upon a wall with no visible means of support.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a framing and supportfor mounting sheets of glass, bulletin boards, etc. flat upon a wallwith a of clearance .between the same and the wall. It is an additionalobject to provide a device for mounting sheet material on a wall whichmay be easily locked in position to prevent undesired removal.

A still further object of myinvention is to provide a frame-support formounting sheet material on a wall which may be removably secured inposition by simply pressing the frame portion against the supportportion where it is spring engaged.

It is an additional object to provide means for mounting sheetmaterialon a wall made up of only three different pieces, namely, the frameconstruction, the support brackets, and the corner angle brackets whichmay be easily cut and assembled for any size sheet material.

It is still a further object to provide means for mounting sheetmaterial on a wall where the load is uniformly carried on the lower wallbracket.

I shall not here attempt to set forth and indicate all of the variousobjects and advantages incident to my invention, but other objects andadvantages will be referred to in or else will become apparent from thatwhich follows.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detaileddescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,showing by way of example preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

Figure l is a perspective front view of my device with a mirror inposition thereon. Y

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2--2 of Figure l witha portion thereofbroken away.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of my wall bracket. Referring to thedrawings in detail, my frame and sup port A includes the upper and lowerframe members 10 and 11 respectively and the side frame members 12 and13. The frame members 10-13 are identical in cross section andconsequently all may be extruded of aluminum from a single die.

- The frame member formation includes the arcuated front wall portion 14formed with the lip portion 15. Extending at substantially right anglesto the front wall portion 14 is the outer rail portion 16, and extendingat substantially right angles to the front wall portion and inwardly ofthe outer rail portion is the inner rail portion 17. The numeral 18designates the web or wall portion which connects the outer rail 16 tothe inner rail 17 substantially centrally thereof. a The positioning ofthe wall 18 provides the chamber space 18' which receives the ends ofscrews secured through the wall 18 hereinafter referred to. The spacebetween the ends of the rails 16 and 17 and defined by the web 18provides a recess 16' which receives an extended portion of the wallbracket, corner angle members, and clips hereinafter defined.

The inner portion of the inner rail 17 is enlarged as at 19, and formedtherein is the elongated channel 20 having the bottom portion 21 and theangularly disposed sides 22 and 23. The channel 20 receives the lockingscrew hereinafter described. The enlarged portion 19 of the inner rail17 has formed thereon the depending portion 24 having the angularly cutgroove 25. The length of the rail 17 is such that when combinedv withthe thickness of the wall bracket hereinafter mentioned the two elementsare of a dimension slightly greater than the extension of the rail 16whereby the inner edge of the rail 16 as at 17' does not contact thewall but is close to the same.

I further provide the wall bracket member 26 which is the same formationin the upper and lower brackets of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and3 and the lower bracket of the embodiment shown in Figure 7. In Figure 2the lower bracket 26 is identical to the upper but in reversed position.The bracket 26 includes the vertical plate portion 27 which is formedwith the right angularly extending extremity 28. Formed on the innerside of the right angle extremity 28 is the elongated rib portion 29having the flat top portion 30 and the angularly disposed side portions31 and 32. The numeral 33 desig nates a Vgroove'for easy positioning anddrilling of a hole 34 which is tapped for receiving the Allen screw 35which may be extended through the rib' 29 and placed in contact with thebottom 21 of the channel 20 as hereinafter set forth. It will be seenthat the channel 20 Figure .3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line3-3 I of Figure 2 including the lock mechanism.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner bracket inposition on the frame, only a portion of the frame being shown.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the glass retaining spring clip.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through an alternative form of my devicesimilar to that illustrated in Figure 2 wi a portion of the same beingbroken away.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

' Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring clip shown inFigures 7 and 8.

performs a dual function, for in the upper frame 10 it receives thescrew member 35 and in the lower frame 11 of the frame member 10 itreceived the rib 29.

The top outer rail portion 16 has formed therein one or more holes suchas 36 through which the hole 34 is drilled and through which the Allenwrench is positioned to tighten or loosen the Allen screw 35. Formed atthe juncture of the lip 15 and the inner rail 17 is the right angularrecess 37 having the side walls 38 and 39 against which the mirror glass40 or other sheet material rests when in position. Formed on the innerrail 17 is the 'raised shoulder portion 41, the top surface of which isin turn positions the glass 40 tightly against the wall 38 of the recess37 which is actually part of the lip 15. The clip 42 allows for variablethickness of backing 41 and also provides a shock mounting due to thespring re-' siliency of the same.

The frame members 10, 11, 12 and 13 are joined securely, effectively andsimply at the corners by means of the channel angle members 47, Figure4, formed of the right angular flat base portion 48 together with theupstanding outer walls 49, the inner walls 50, and end walls 51. Thecorner brackets 47 are secured in the four corners of the frame portionby means of the self-tapping screws 52. The bracket fits snugly betweenthe outer rail 16 and the inner rail 17, and the screws 52 extendslightly into the chamber space 18'. The angle formed by the inner walls50 is reinforced by the lug portion 53 which has formed therein therecess 54 adapted to receive the extreme corner portion 55 formed by thejoinder of the inner rails 50 for a close fit of the angle member 47 inthe corner formed by the frame members.

The plate portion 27 of the bracket 26 is formed with the V-groove 27for easy and quick location of the drilling of holes for the mountingscrews 56 which secure the brackets 26 on a wall as illustrated inFigure 3. The upper and lower brackets 26 may be formed relatively shortin length for a small frame or in extended length sufficient to supporta frame of any given length. In addition, a hole 36 and screw 35 may beprovided for each upper bracket 26 if more than one section of the sameis used.

In mounting the mirror glass 40 of Figures 2 and 3, the same is placedin the recess 37 against the wall 38 of the lip 15. The backing 41 isthen positioned on the back of the glass 40, and the clips 42 snappedinto position as hereinbefore described. A section of the upper bracket26 is then secured to the wall, and a lower bracket section 26 issecured to the wall reversed in position to that of the upper bracket.Then the lower frame member 11 is manipulated so that the rib 29 restsin the channel 20 on the bottom 21 thereof to thereby support the glass40. Following this, the mirror is tilted toward and against the wall sothat the inner edge of the rail 17 contacts the upper bracket 26 whichpositions the rib portion 29 of the extremity 28 over the channel 20.Following this the Allen wrench B is inserted through the "hole 36 andinto the Allen screw 35, and the screw tightened against the bottom 21of the channel 20. In this position the frame and glass mirror 40 cannotbe removed due to the positioning of the screw 35 inv the channel 20.The wrench B is removed, and the mirror 40 and frame cannot be removedwithout the wrench B. I

In Figure 7 I have illustrated a further embodiment of my invention forresiliently and removably holding the upper frame portion of the frame.The lower support bracket 26 and entire frame of Figure 7 is identicalwith that illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The upper bracket 57 iscomposed of the vertical plate portion 58 and formed at rightanglesthereto is the extended portion 59. Formed on the end of the portion 59is the bead 60 having the arcuate upper ridge portion 61 and the lowerridge portion 62. The bracket 57 is secured to the wall by means of oneor more screws such as 63. The upper frame member 10 of Figures 7 and 8is identical to that shown in Figure 2.

I further provide the elongated spring clip 64 which is composed of theback portion 65 including the extended ear members 66. Extendingparallel from and at substantially right angles to the back portion 65are the extended upper and lower body members 66 and 67. Formed on theouter edges of the upper and lower members 66 and 67 are the turned inand angularly disposed spring portions 68 and 69 respectively. Thespring portions 68 and 69 have formed on the inner ends thereof theturned in end portions 70 and 71 which are shown in sprung position inbroken lines in Figure 8.

The ear members 66 have formed therethrough the .'4 holes 72 whichreceive the self-tapping screws such as 73 which are threadedly 'engagedin the web or wall II to thereby secure the clip 64 in position betweenthe inner rail 17 and the outer rail 16.

In mounting the frame and mirror 40 of Figure 7, the lower frame portion11 is positioned on the bracket 26 in the same manner as in Figure 2hereinbefore described. Then the top of the frame as a whole is movedtoward the upper bracket 57 and the head 60 forced be tween the springportions 68 and 69 into the position shown in Figures 7 and. 8. In thisposition the mirror 40 and frame assembly cannot be removed from thewall without considerable pressure to disengage the head 60 from thegrip of the spring members 68 and 69.

It will thus be noted that the construction of Figures 2 and 3 requiresbut one extruding die for the frame, one die for both upper and lowerbrackets which are identical, and one die for the corner brackets. Theonly additional die needed for the further embodiment of Figures 7 and 8is the upper bracket 57 and with such a simple change either embodimentmay be offered.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 Having thus described the invention, that which I claim as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a unit for mounting sheet material on a wall, a rectangular frame,a portion of the upper and lower opposed frame members each having achannel formed therein, upper and lower wall bracket members identicalin transverse cross section and each having an extremity formed with anupstanding portion thereon which in the case of said lower bracket, saidextremity thereof positioned in said channel of the lower frame memberand under the upper portion forming part of said channel to support theload of said frame, and means for locking said extremity of said upperbracket within said channel of said upper frame member.

2. In a unit for mounting sheet material on a wall, a rectangular bodyformed of upper, lower and side frame members identical in cross sectionand joined at the outer ends thereof, each frame member including afront wall portion, an outer rail portion and an inner rail portionconnected to said front wall portion, a web member connecting said innerand outer rail portions and spaced from said front wall portion therebyforming an enclosed chamber, said inner rail portion having a channelformed therein, an upper and a lower wall bracket member identical incross section, each bracket including a plate when, having an extremityextending therefrom, said extremity having a rib formed thereon adaptedto be positioned in said channel of said inner rail portion of saidlower frame member to support the weight of the unit, adjustable lockingmeans extending through said extremity of said upper bracket forengagement with the bottom of said channel of said inner rail portion ofsaid upper frame member, the outer rail portion of the upper of saidframe members having at least one opening formed therethrough for accessto said adjustable locking means.

3. In a unit for mounting sheet material on a wall, a rectangular frameformed of upper, lower, and side frame members, the construction of eachof said frame members being identical in cross section and including aninner and an outer rail portion, an outer front wall connecting saidrail portions, an inner web portion connecting said rail portions andspaced from said front wall, said inner rail having a channel formedtherein, upper and lower wall brackets identical in cross section andeach having an extremity formed with an upstanding rib portion thereonadapted to be positioned in said channel of said lower frame member inthe case of said lower bracket member, and means for connecting saidextremity of said upper bracket between said inner and outer railportions of said upper frame member.

4.Inaunitformountingsheetmsterialonawsll,s

frame including an upper member and an opposed lower member the outerends of which are connected to opposed side members, said upper andlower frame members having substantially the same cross sectionalformation including an outer rail portion and an inner rail portionspaced from said outer rail portion, a front wall portion connectingsaid rail portions, and a web portion connecting said rail portions andspaced inwardly from said front wall portion, said inner rail portionhaving a channel formed therein, a lower wall bracket formed with anupstanding portion and an extremity having an upstanding rib thereonadapted to be positioned in said channel of the inner rail portion ofsaid lower frame member to support the weight of the unit and positionthe same, an upper wall bracket identical in cross section to said lowerbracket but mounted in reverse position, a screw member threadedlyengaged in said extremity of said upper bracket and adapted to contactthe bottom of said channel of said upper frame member to secure saidunit in position, and an opening formed in said outer rail of said upperframe member opposite said screw member to allow access to said screwmember.

5. In a unit for mounting sheet material on a wall, a substantiallyrectangular frame member, said frame having a recess formed on the upperand lower members of said frame, a lower bracket having an extremityextending therefrom adapted to extend into said recess of said lowerframe member, means for positioning said extremity of said lower bracketin said recess of said lower frame member to support the weight of saidunit, an upper bracket having a cross section identical with that ofsaid lower bracket and positioned in reverse position to that of saidlower bracket with said extremity thereof extending into said recess ofsaid upper frame member, and means for securing said extremity of saidupper bracket within said recess of said upper frame member.

' 6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said means for securing said upperframe to said extended portion of said upper bracket is composed of aspring clip mounted in said recess of said upper frame member and saidextremity of said upper bracket having a rib portion formed thereonengageable by said spring clip.

7. The structure of claim 5 wherein said frame member is formed with alip portion against which sheet material is positioned, said framehaving recess means formed therein, and a spring clip engageable withsaid recess means and against sheet material positioned in said frameand against said lip to thereby maintain the sheet in the frame.

8. A substantially rectangular frame for mounting sheet material on awall comprising upper, lower, and connecting side members, said upperand lower members being identical in cross section and including anouter rail portion and an inner rail portion spaced therefrom, a frontwall connecting the front edges of said rail portions, a web portionconnecting said rail portions and spaced substantially centrally of saidrail portions thereby forming an open ended recess in said frame adaptedto receive a wall bracket and also a chamber between said web and saidfront wall adapted to receive the ends of screws inserted through saidweb portion to conceal the ends of the screws, and means formed in saidupper and lower frame members for receiving a projection of wall bracketmembers.

9. A frame member comprising an outer rail portion, an inner railportion spaced from said outer rail portion, a front wall portionconnected to the outer ends of said rail portions, and a web portionconnecting said rail portions spaced from the ends thereof.

10. In a unit for mounting sheet material on a wall, a. frame includingan upper member and a lower member, the outer ends of which areconnected to opposed side members, said upper and lower frames eachhaving a channel formed therein, a lower wall bracket having anextremity formed thereon and adapted to bepositioned within said channelof said lower frame member and in contact therewith to carry andposition said frame, an upper wall bracket having an extremity formedwith a rib portion, a clip connected to said upper frame within thechannel thereof adapted to grippingly receive said rib portion of saidupper bracket to thereby secure said frame on a supporting member.

11. A panel frame and support including a frame including upper andlower frame members, said frame members being channel shaped in sectionand including spaced generally parallel flanges connected with aconnecting base, the base forming the forward surface of the frame andthe flanges forming the inner and outer surfaces of the frame, inwardlydirected flanges on the inner flanges of said frame members at a pointspaced from the rear of the frame, and a supporting bracket including anangular body having a mounting frame and a right angular supportingframe, said right angular supporting frame being arranged to extendbetween said flanges of said frame member, the under surface of theinner flange of said lower frame member and the upper surface of thesupporting flange of the supporting bracket having cooperable tongue andgroove means thereon to hold the lower frame member interlocked withsaid supporting bracket.

12. The construction described in claim 11 and including meansengageable with the upper frame member to hold said surfaces engaged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,075,588 Meyers Mar. 30, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 908,870 France Oct. 29,1945

